Quick Mulled Wine is the Ultimate Winter Party Drink

Cold weather and a stiff drink go hand in hand, and no cocktail is better suited to short days and blustery nights than mulled wine. A mix of red wine, warm spices, booze (often brandy), and apple cider, mulled wine is the liquid equivalent of a warm winter blanket.

But when I recently set out to make a batch, I discovered that many mulled wine recipes call for close to a dozen ingredients, and a longer cook time than some of my favorite braised meats. So I concocted a quick cider-mulled wine to deliver all the flavor and comfort of the drink I love in a much shorter period of time.

I started with a bottle of light-bodied red wine (I chose an inexpensive Beaujolais Nouveau), added a healthy pour of high-quality apple cider and a touch of brandy, and finished the mixture with cinnamon sticks, star anise pods, and whole cloves. I brought the whole thing to a boil, then let it simmer until the flavors fused together. It only took about ten minutes—but it tasted like it had been bubbling away for hours.

This mulled wine can be made up to three days in advance and stored in the fridge, or made two hours ahead, stored at room temperature, and re-heated over medium-low right before your guests arrive. When it comes to serving, you need only three things: mugs, the thickest quilt you can get your hands, and—depending on the company you're keeping—a comfortable pair of pajamas.